Apparatus for bowling-alleys.



J. R. RISHEBEGARJL J. J. JONES.

APPARATUS FOR BOWLING. ALLEYS.

APPLICATION IILED 111111.18. 1912.

Patented Apr. 15, 1913.

` f fmZRw/h Skim/nur# COLUMBIA PLANDUDAPM C0.. wAsulNuTuN. D. C,

Uniirnn; i sirnrns PATENT OFFICE;

JAMES `R. RISHEBG-AR ANDJOHN J. JONES, 0F, MOUNT PLEASANT, 'PENNSYII'JVAIDTLIA.`

`APPARATUS FOR BOWLING-ALLEYS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

PatentcdApr.15,1913.

Application led January 18, 1912. SerialNo. 671,902.

preventing the pins on` thealley from be-` ing bowled over whena player transgresses the rule against stepping `over the foulline. The last mentioned means includes primarily a device for `deflectingthe ball from` the alley so that it will be `preventedfrom striking the pins, which would necessitatethat they ybe setup again, even though a foul is registered against `the player.

Preferably the `deliectin means l comprises a signal also, underw ich conditions it performs a dualfunction: in a manner which will beapparent upon reference to the following` detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in whichi Figure 1 is a plan viewi of the invention` awherein the signaling means constitutes ball deflecting mechanism.` Fig. 2 is a sectlonal view on the line `5--5 .of` Fig.` 1,. dotted lines showing the signals `or deflectors in `their op-` erated positions. Fig. `3 is a lan view of the partsshown more fully in 4 is a detailed fragmentary perspective view of the locking catch` which normally holds the` signaling members inuplright positions. Fig. 5 is asectional view `t rough` the foul line bar and alley `supporting the 1 same. Fig. 6 is a `perspective view of the signal or `deiiector alone. Fig. 7 is a fragmentary detail view showing one` `of thesignal` deflectors, with side of its casing removed. Fig. `8

is a view more clearly showing the manually operable means for restorin `the signaling or delecting members totheir normall positions.

Throughout` the following `detailed description and on the several figures of the drawings, similar parts; are referred` to by like reference characters.

In `the drawings, 1 denotes spaced bowling eature of this invention alleys of conventional construction, between which is `the ball return way 2.` The pins 3 are adapted to be spotted on the rear ends of the alleys 1 in thecustomary manner while at the front end of each alley `islocated a foul line bar 4. The bar 4 is secured at its opposite ends to the alley bed in such a way asto be depressible, as shown in Fig.` 5, and said bar when depressed is adapted to make contact with one or more of a plurality of` electric contact points 5, beneath the bar and :in normal spaced relation thereto. An electric circuit wire 6 is connected to` the contacts 5 and a second circuit wire 7 is electrically connected with the bar 4 by being 1 attachedto the metallic fastening screw 8 located adjacentto one end of the bar.

It` is contemplated `that the signaling means comprising the present invention;

shall be electrically operated, `for which purpose the circuit wires 6 and 7 lead to a casing 2.3 containing electrical means to render op erative certain signals supported thereby.

The signals 11 are supported by standards or bars 12 pivoted at their lower ends, as shown at 14', between the sides of the casing 23, said sides being each of angular formation, as shown in Figs. l and 3,and `being spaced apart. `Normally the signals 11` are in approximately vertical positions andare held in such positions by catches 15, said catches being springs formed with heads `15a which constitute armatures coperatingwith electromagnets 19.` The circuit `wires 6,7," and batteries 21 are connected with the magv nets 19` so that the latter will be electrified` on closing of the circuit caused by depressing the bar 4. The signals 11', however, are not `only iadapted to perform their function` as signals, but when operated, they are adapted to assume positions extending `di-z agonallyiacross and slightly elevated above the bedsof the alleys, in which positions, they form. defiectors with. which a thrown balll is` adapted to engage and be deflected from the alley bed.

Since the signal deflectors 11 are ar-` ranged in advance of the pins` 3, naturally, when either signal is operated so` as to asa sume a position substantially as shown :in Fig. l, it `will be inthe path of movement of the bowled ball having been thrown into such path by the bowler stepping upon the bar 124 and permitting la spring 24 normally bearing against the inner side of said standard to forcibly shove the signal outwardly and downwardly into. its deflecting position. The alarms or `bells and 22 are,

of course, sounded when the signals 11 are actuated and' attention is directed to the fact that each signal or dellector 11 is pref-y erably supplied upon its ball engaging surface" `with a suitable 'buffer or pad '25 by which the shock is relieved. yAlso each signal 11 is preferably hinged or pivoted at 26 to its standard 12 and is permitted to yield slightly when the ball strikes the same "by the provision of a spring 27 at the y ywhat is claimed as new is:

pivotal connection, said spring normally tending to holdfthe signal 11 in alinement with its supporting m-ember 12.

It iscontemplated that various changes maybe made inthe details of construction of the present invention'consistent with the spirit of the same and scope of theA` claims hereto appended.

After the signals are operated, they may be reset to their original inactive positions by any suitable means or by t-he'lpin setting boy, who is stationed within a short distance from the point where the signals are located.

As shown in the drawings, pulleys 31 `are carried by the supporting post `r9 and casing 23 :and pull cords 82 lead topoints of connection with the signals and 'deflec-tors, of said part-s 9 and 23 respectively, `constituti-ng manually operable means to restore the latter to their normally inoperative positions. l

Having thus described the invention,.

1. In combination with a1 bowling alley, normally inoperative nie-ans associated with said alley vand movable into the path of a bowled ball forfdeflecting tthe latter from its course. I

2. In combination with `a ybowling alley, a signal associated 'therewith and comprising a member movable into the path of a bowled ball to prevent said yball fromstri'l ing pins upon the alley, anc-l means for operatingv said signal.

'8. In combination with a bowling alleyV pins spotted thereon, means operable and Y to assume .a position in advance .of -thepins to prevent bowling over of the latter by a ball t-raversingsaid alley.

4. In combination with a bowling alley and pins spotted thereon, yielding `means operable to assume a position in advance of the pins to prevent bowling over of the latter by a ball traversing `said alley.

5. In combination with abowling alley and pins spotted thereon, yielding means operable to assume a position in advance of the pins to prevent kbowlingover of the lat-` ter by a ball traversing said alley, and 5a manually controlled operating device for said means.

6. .In combination@withv a bowlingalley` and pins spotted thereon, of means movable into a position extending transversely vover the bed of the alley into lthe path 4of vballs bowled thereon. v

7 In combination with" a bowling alley and pins spotted thereon, of means movable into a position extending transversely over i the bed -of the alley intothe pat-h of `balls bowled thereon, said means including` a yieldably supported deflect-or.

8f In` combination with a bowling alley a and ypins spotted thereon, means comprising a substantially vertical member associated with said alley, and mechanism for moving said member into fa position in advance of the pins and inthe path lof a ballibowled on` u the alley.

'9. In combination with abowliing alley,

g a. defiector associated therewith, means normally holding said ideflector in anino-pera-` tive'position adjacent `to the alley, means for releasing the deflecto-nandnieans for forcibly moving the 4defl'ector. ,into vthe rpath of a ball bowled on the lalley ywhen the deflect/or has been released.

10. In combination with `a bowling alley,

a deflec-tor associated therewith, means nor-Y.

Vmally holding said deflectorin an inoperative position adjacentto the alley, means ball bowled on the alley whenthe deflector has :been rele'aseld, and means* permitting yielding of the deflector when `infitsI operative' position. f

Afor releasing the -deflecton means for forciybly'moving the defiector into the pathof a In testimony whereof we afBX our signa- Copies or this patent maybe obtained -forve cents reach, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. C. 

